Enclosure for a pleasure pool, which completely or partially adopts the shape of a rotunda

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an enclosure for a pleasure pool, which is completely or partially in the form of a rotunda and which comprises a plurality of rotary angular roof elements. The aforementioned rotary angular roof elements form an angular portion of the rotunda and rotate about the same vertical axis, each element comprising a frame framing at least one cylindrical filler panel. The frame includes a lower circular edge that rests on the ground and an upper edge from which at least two sections extend towards the rotation shaft, which sections join so as, together with the upper edge, to form a frame for an angular portion of the roof-forming filler panel. The roof elements are mounted to rotate about the same vertical axis in order to move between an open position and a closed position. The enclosure is characterised in that each frame framing a cylindrical filler panel is provided with a section (C, C) that is curved in relation to the axis of rotation of the element and which is disposed in the internal portion between the lower edge and the upper edge, forming a handrail. The invention is suitable for pleasure pool covers.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of shelters for pleasurepools adopting the form of a rotunda and in particular to adaptationsfor producing the rotating-movement roof elements to the best standard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

There exist in the prior art shelters for pleasure pools such as inparticular spas that offer a rotunda form adopting a substantiallyhemispherical or cylindrical shape. There also exist in the prior artshelters for pleasure pools of the swimming pool type that offer arotunda or semi-rotunda form.

To do this, these shelters comprise rotating roof elements each formingan angular portion of the shelter and rotating about the same verticalaxis.

These roof elements comprise a circular lower edge resting on theground, a cylindrical panel, and profiles starting from the top edge ofthe panel and joining it in order to form an angular roof portion, theconnecting ends of said roof elements being mounted so as to rotateabout the same vertical axis.

Unlike conventional roof elements that rest on either side of the pooland therefore have two support zones, the rotating roof elementsparticipating in this rotunda are cantilevered and have a base bearingon the ground or on the area surrounding the pool and a top end in pivotconnection about a vertical axis common to a plurality of rotating roofelements. This vertical axis constitutes a second support point offsetwith respect to the first and must therefore be sized for this purposewithout impairing the aesthetic appearance.

Another constraint relating to the use of a rotunda form lies in themobility of the rotating roof elements, a mobility that must allow thegreatest possible access to the pool. However, conventionally, one ormore rotating elements remain fixed in order to guarantee the support ofthe others and the rigidity of the whole. These fixed roof elements arethen oversized in order to successfully implement this function ofsupporting the others.

Another solution consists of proposing a fixed internal structure forsupporting said roof elements.

Another constraint lies in the sizing of the rotating elements which, ifthey must all pivot, must then have an extendable structure allowing therotation and retraction of one rotating element with respect to another.However, in the context of a shelter having optimised rigidity, thethicknesses of the various profiles forming the support frame for thefill-in panels is liable to negate an aesthetic effect.

These various constraints led shelter designers to propose rotundastructures that are lighter and less mobile and have parts specificallysized for each rotating roof element constituting the rotunda.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Starting from this state of affairs, the applicant carried out researchaimed at solving the drawbacks described above. This research resultedin the design and production of a shelter for pleasure pools havingpartially or wholly a rotunda configuration and comprising a pluralityof angular rotating roof elements forming an angular portion of the domeor of the rotunda and rotating about the same vertical axis, eachangular rotating roof element comprising a frame enclosing a cylindricalfill-in panel, the frame comprising a circular bottom edge resting onthe ground, a top edge from which at least two profiles project towardsthe rotation axis, which join in order to form, with said top edge, aframe for an angular portion of the fill-in panel forming the roof, saidroof elements being mounted so as to rotate about the same verticalaxis. This shelter is remarkable in that each frame enclosing acylindrical fill-in panel is equipped with a profile curved along therotation axis of the element and placed in its internal part between thebottom edge and the top edge of a handrail.

The presence of this handrail profile affords numerous advantages inaddition to a support for the user and better manoeuvrability of theroof element.

This is because this additional profile stiffens a frame and offers asupport surface to the fill-in panel reinforcing those offered by theframe surrounding said panel.

This support will thus make it possible to avoid excess thickness of thefill-in panel. This is because a vertical cylindrical surface issubjected to the forces due to wind and must be able to withstand suchforces. The shelter of the invention avoids a technological solutionconsisting of oversizing the frames or thicknesses of the panels, whichwould increase costs and reduce manoeuvrability.

The addition of this supplementary profile thus brings technical effectsgoing beyond the handrail function while lightening the structure and atthe same time stiffening it.

This shelter can adopt the form of a complete rotunda arranged forexample above a spa or a semi-rotunda arranged at the end of a highshelter.

According to another feature, this shelter comprises a vertical shaft onwhich said rotating roof elements arranged below pivot.

According to the form adopted by the shelter, this shaft is supported bya different element. According to a first solution where the shelteradopts the form of a complete rotunda, it comprises an external arch 300forming a portico and supporting said vertical shaft at its middle part.

The use of an additional external support structure is particularlyadvantageous in that it avoids the use of an internal supportingskeleton. In addition, it avoids the oversizing and fixing of one ormore roof elements in order to fulfill this function. In addition, byavoiding making one of the roof elements fixed for support purposes, itguarantees complete angular mobility of the set of roof elements,allowing non-limitative positioning of the retracted assembly.

According to another particular advantageous feature contributing tostability and avoiding oversizing, said portico has an assembly of threeuprights and three half-beams placed at 120 degrees.

According to another particularly advantageous feature contributing tothe overall aesthetic appearance of the shelter, the top part of therotating roof elements repeats the slope or curve of said portico.

Another feature participating in the aesthetic appearance lies in thefact that said rotating elements are sized so that, in the deployedposition, one rim out of two advantageously coincides with the plane inwhich the upright and half-beam are situated.

According to one technological choice, the shelter adopts an extendableconfiguration in which the roof elements adopt a decreasing size toenable retraction thereof inside only one.

The angular roof elements are composed of:

a first vertical part consisting of a cylindrical portion with avertical axis represented by the shaft,

a second substantially flat part with a triangular shape repeating anyslope on the portico and providing a connection between the top edge ofthe cylindrical portion and the shaft.

According to a second solution in which the shelter adopts the form of asemi-rotunda placed at the end of a high shelter, the top end of saidvertical shaft is fixed to an arch belonging to the frame of anon-rotating roof element with a size greater than the largest of therotating roof elements.

According to another particularly advantageous feature, the top ends ofsaid angular roof elements are equipped with a connecting part equippedwith at least one collar preformed vertically with an orifice. In orderto form a guide sleeve fitted on the shaft, said sleeve has a thicknessless than or equal to one half of the connecting part so that turningover the connecting part allows by symmetry the pivot connection on thesame shaft of an angular roof element of identical dimensions.

This feature makes it possible to use identical roof elements and thusreduces the cost of a rotunda. In addition, it makes it possible to usethe same connecting parts for different roof elements. Such a feature isparticularly suited to two identical roof elements arranged oppositeeach other. The following pair of roof elements has smaller dimensionsbut can have identical connecting parts fitted according to the sameprinciple at a lower height along said shaft and so on.

According to the invention, said shelter is also remarkable in that itcomprises two types of connecting part having sleeves disposedsymmetrically on either side of the symmetry plane of the top part ofthe roof elements and used on the side towards which said elementretracts.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention,the connecting part is equipped with two sleeves angularly offset on thesame radius and offset in height so that, depending on the sleevechosen, the height with which the roof element is associated with saidshaft differs, thus allowing the pivoting of roof elements of identicalsizes. Said angular offset increases the possibilities of angularmovement of a roof element with respect to its opposite one placedsymmetrically.

According to another particularly advantageous feature, the top part ofthe roof elements comprises two ends of two profiles the connection ofwhich is provided by said connecting part. Said connecting part thus hasseveral functions and reduces the number of parts necessary.

The fill-in panels framed by the profiles forming the frameworks of theroof elements can be produced from a plurality of materials, such as forexample:

polycarbonate, transparent or not,

glass,

microperforated textile,

PVC,

etc.

Other features are able to be offered by the shelter of the invention,such as for example:

each frame of angular rotating roof elements comprises two uprights towhich the ends of said curved profile are fixed, the latter being fixedin the thickness of said uprights so that it does not form, with respectto the latter, an inward projection opposite said uprights,

said curved profile is equipped, on the external periphery thereof, withfixing blocks fulfilling the function of points for supporting andfixing the fill-in panels,

the top adjoining the profiles enclosing the triangular roof panel isoffset with respect to the rotation axis of said rotating roof element.

The fundamental concepts of the invention having been disclosed above inthe most elementary form thereof, other details and features will emergemore clearly from a reading of the following description with regard tothe accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limitative example anembodiment of a shelter for a pleasure pool according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of an embodiment ofa shelter for a pleasure pool of the spa type according to the inventionin the closed position,

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a perspective view of the shelter ofFIG. 1 in the open position,

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of an external perspective view of ashelter (or of a portion of a shelter) with an end adopting asemi-rotunda configuration in the closed position,

FIG. 4 is a drawing of the shelter of FIG. 3 with the rotunda in theopen position,

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a detail view of the pivot connectionof the rotunda,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first part connecting the top ends ofthe rotating roof elements,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second part connecting the top ends ofthe rotating roof elements,

FIG. 8 is a schematic detail drawing of the connection of the handrailwith the panels,

FIGS. 9 and 9 a are schematic drawings illustrating the connectionbetween the handrail and the uprights,

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a shelter for a spa in theclosed position,

FIG. 11 illustrates the embodiment in FIG. 10 in the open position,

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a plan view of an embodiment of theconnection between the profiles forming the triangular roof portion ofthe roof module.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated on the drawing in FIG. 1, the shelter referenced A is ofthe type opening and closing above a pleasure pool such as a spa, notillustrated.

This shelter A is broken down into a plurality of roof elements 100resting on the ground S (or on an area surrounding the pool) and the toppart of which is in abutment on and pivots on a shaft 200 supported byan external upper superstructure composed of a tripod 300 independent ofthe roof elements 100 and connected to the latter solely by means of thecentral shaft 200.

Said portico has a set of three uprights 310 and three half-beams 320arranged at 120 degrees. The roof elements 100 move in the internalspace delimited by this external structure 300.

Said angular roof elements 100 are composed of:

a first vertical part 110 consisting of a cylindrical portion with avertical axis represented by the shaft 200,

a second substantially flat part with a triangular shape 120 repeatingany slope on the gantry 300 and providing the connection between the topedge of the cylindrical portion and the shaft 200.

Each part is framed by a set of profiles 130 supporting fill-in panelsP.

As illustrated, the profiles 131 and 132 forming the angle of thetriangular portion 120 join and are connected by means of a connectingpart 400 that provides the connection of the contiguous ends of theprofiles and connection thereof to the shaft 200. As illustrated on thedrawing in FIG. 2, the various connecting parts 400 are identicaldespite the roof elements of different sizes and fit on the shaft 200,which comprises, on its bottom end, an axial stop 210 providing thesupport for this stack. In accordance with the invention, each frameframing a cylindrical fill-in panel is equipped with a profile C curvedon the rotation axis of the element and which, placed in the internalpart between the bottom edge and the top edge, forms a handrail.

As illustrated on the drawing in FIG. 1, the various roof elements aresized angularly so that the edge thereof coincides in one case out oftwo with the plane in which an upright 310 and the beam 320 associatedtherewith of the portico 300 fit. Thus, according to the embodimentillustrated, the angular roof elements 100 are six (6) in number and aresized so as to correspond to substantially 60 degrees of the angularportion of the 360 degrees of the complete shelter.

As illustrated on the drawing in FIG. 2, the largest roof element 100comprises a third part 140 forming a façade consisting of transversepanels sized so as to provide the closure of the volume of the shelter Adespite the reduced size of the smallest roof element joining saidfaçade in the closed position.

The presence of the tripod supporting the roof elements 100 makes itpossible to benefit from complete angular freedom as to the retractedopen position illustrated on the drawing in FIG. 2.

As illustrated on the drawings in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shelter (or theshelter portion) referenced A′ as a whole is composed of a plurality oftop roof elements referenced E′ and adopts, at one end, a semi-rotundaform R′.

More precisely, the shelter A′ is formed from rectilinear roof elementsE1′ able to move in the direction of the double arrow F1′ in translationabove its pool and roof elements E2′ forming angular portions of thesemi-rotunda R′ and able to move in the direction of the double arrowF2′ in rotation about the same axis represented by the shaft 100′.

As illustrated, the rectilinear roof elements E1′ are composed of aframework formed from two skeleton elements 200′ braced by crossmembers300′, a framework serving to frame and support one or more fill-inpanels P′. More precisely, the skeleton elements 200′ are formed by twouprights 210′ supporting two beams 220′ assembled at the symmetry planeof the shelter, forming an angle to constitute a ridge of the roof ofthe shelter A′.

Said fill-in panels P′ may be produced from a plurality of materials,such as for example:

polycarbonate, transparent or not,

glass,

microperforated textile,

PVC,

etc.

In accordance with the invention, the external skeleton element 200′situated at one end of the shelter A′ provides, by means of its beams220′, the support for a shaft 100′ above which the angular roof elementsE2′ constituting the rotunda R′ will pivot in order to pass from theposition illustrated by the drawing in FIG. 3 to the positionillustrated by the drawing in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the invention, each frame framing a cylindricalfill-in panel is equipped with a profile C′ curved along the rotationaxis of the element and which, arranged in the internal part between thebottom edge and the top edge, forms a handrail.

As illustrated in the latter figure, the angular elements retractcompletely inside the rectilinear roof element to which they areconnected, thus affording complete access to the inside of the shelterA′.

As illustrated, if the rotunda part R′ does indeed adopt an extendablestructure, it adopts a symmetrical extendable structure and allows theuse of identical angular roof elements. Thus, according to theembodiment illustrated, said rotunda R′ comprises five (5) rotatingangular roof elements E2′ with four elements identical in pairs and asingle fifth one smaller in height than those of the smallest pair.Thus, when they are in pairs, the roof elements are identical and areplaced symmetrically with respect to each other without preventingretraction.

This specificity is made possible by the particularly judicioustechnical choices combined in the pivot connection used by the shaft100′ and which appear on the drawings in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

These angular elements E2′ are, according to the embodiment illustrated,composed of:

a first vertical part 410′ consisting of a cylindrical portion with avertical axis represented by the shaft 100′,

a second substantially flat part with a triangular shape 420′ repeatingthe slope of the roof formed by the shelter and providing the connectionbetween the top edge of the cylindrical portion 410′ and the shaft 100′.

The second part 420′ is therefore composed of a circular rim adoptingthe circular form of the rotunda and two profiles 421′ and 422′connected at a first end to the top rim of the cylindrical portion andjoining at an end that will come to be connected with the shaft 100′.

The connection between the two profiles 421′ and 422′ bordering the toppart of the roof element E2′ and forming the triangular part and theconnection between this top part and the shaft 100′ are produced bymeans of a connecting part.

According to one embodiment, this connecting part is identical for eachangular roof element E2′.

Nevertheless, according to the embodiment illustrated, two types ofconnecting parts 500 a′ and 500 b′ (cf. FIGS. 6 and 7) each has a sleeveplaced, according to the connecting part, symmetrically on either sideof the symmetry plane of the top part of the roof elements and usedaccording to the side towards which said element retracts.

The connecting part 500 a′ comprises a body 510 a′ from where project,at the angle of the triangle forming the top part of the roof elementE2′, two profiles 520 a′ and 530 a′ able to fit in the joining hollowends of the profiles 421′ and 422′. This body 510 a′ is also preformedfrom a sleeve 540 a′ bored with an orifice 541 a′.

According to the part 500 a′ or 500 b′, these collars have the samethickness and their bore is the same diameter, enabling them to offer asliding pivot connection with the shaft 100′, as illustrated on thedrawing in FIG. 5.

The presence of two collars and therefore of two possibilities ofconnection to the shaft 100′, possibilities of equivalent radius butdifferent heights, is evidenced from a study of FIG. 5, which shows thatthe offset of the two collars enables the use at the same height ofangular roof elements of equal dimensions. Thus, for the same height ofthe top roof element part, the two connecting parts have two collarposition possibilities fitting in the total height of the connectingpart and allowing the use of roof elements with the same dimensions. Inaddition, the angular offset of constant radius allows greater travelbetween two roof elements with the same dimensions and arrangedopposite.

To facilitate this rotation, the connecting parts are also preformed soas to have cooperating complementary shapes once the connecting parts oftwo roof elements of identical dimensions are positioned on the shaft100′ and allowing the greatest possible angular mobility. Thus eachconnecting part is preformed with the counter-shape of the collar of theconnecting part of the facing roof element.

In order to support this assembly of pivoting parts, the shaft 100′ isassociated, by means of a bearing 110′, with the beam 220′ andcomprises, on its bottom end, a removable axial stop 120′. Asillustrated, the top end of said vertical shaft 100′ is fixed to an arch220 with a size greater than the largest of the rotating roof elementsforming the rotunda R′.

In order to avoid said bottom stop 120′ supporting all the forces alone,axial support rings 130′ are fixed to the shaft 100′, being interposedbetween the collars 550′ or 540′ of the connecting parts 500′. In orderto facilitate this function, said rings are associated with nylonbraces.

As illustrated on the drawing in FIG. 8, said curved profile C isequipped, on the external periphery thereof, with fixing blocksfulfilling the function of points supporting and fixing the fill-inpanels 410.

In addition, as illustrated on the drawing in FIGS. 9 and 9 a, eachframe comprises two uprights to which the ends of said curved profile Care fixed, the latter being fixed in the thickness of said uprights. Asillustrated, the width of the handrail C is integrated in the thicknessor in the width defined by the profile of the uprights. Thus thepresence of said curved profile C forming a handrail does not constitutean obstacle to the rotation of the roof modules.

The embodiment of the shelter A″ illustrated by the drawings in FIGS. 10and 11 offers a configuration in four roof modules 100″, 200″, 300″ and400″ rotating with respect to the portico. As illustrated, these roofmodules are fully moveable because of their adjusted size and theirextendable configuration. A seal of the brush type provides the closureof the space left free between the modules. The roof elements can thenturn without any obstacle in both directions.

According to the configuration proposed, the four roof modules have inpairs the same roof angle. Thus the roof module 100″ has the same angleas the module 300″. Likewise, the angle of the module 200″ is identicalto that proposed by the module 400″.

In addition, the angle formed by the roof of the modules 100″ and 300″corresponds substantially to twice that of the roof of the modules 200″and 400″. This angular distribution allows the open configurationillustrated by the drawing in FIG. 11, where the two modules 200″ and400″ fit in the angle formed by the two modules 100″ and 300″ placed oneabove the other.

The juxtaposition of the two modules 200″ and 400″ is made possiblewithout conflict at the rotation shaft by means of the featureillustrated by the drawing in FIG. 12, which proposes that the topjoining the profiles framing the triangular roof panel be offset withrespect to the rotation axis.

It will be understood that the shelter that has just been described anddepicted above was so described and depicted with a view to a disclosurerather than a limitation. Naturally various arrangements, modificationsand improvements could be made to the above example without for all thatdeparting from the scope of the invention.

1. Shelter for pleasure pools, having partially or entirely a rotundaconfiguration and comprising a plurality of angular rotating roofelements forming an angular portion of the rotunda and rotating aboutthe same vertical axis, each angular rotating roof element comprising aframe framing a cylindrical fill-in panel, the frame comprising acircular bottom edge resting on the ground, a top edge from which twoprofiles project towards the rotation axis, which join in order to form,with said top edge, a frame for an angular fill-in panel portion formingthe roof, said roof elements being mounted so as to rotate about thesame vertical axis in order to pass from an open position to a closedposition, characterised by the fact that each frame framing acylindrical fill-in panel is equipped with a profile curved along therotation axis of the element and which, arranged in the internal partbetween the bottom edge and the top edge forms a handrail.
 2. Shelteraccording to claim 1, characterised by the fact that it comprises avertical shaft on which said rotating roof elements arranged below canpivot.
 3. Shelter according to claim 2, characterised by the fact thatit comprises an external arch forming a portico and supporting, at itsmiddle part, said vertical shaft.
 4. Shelter according to claim 3,characterised by the fact that said shaft comprises a bottom stop. 5.Shelter according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that the toppart of the rotating roof elements reproduces the slope or curve of saidportico.
 6. Shelter according to claim 3, characterised by the fact thatsaid portico has an assembly of three uprights and three half-beamsarranged at 120 degrees.
 7. Shelter according to claim 6, characterisedby the fact that said rotating elements are sized so that, in thedeployed position, one rim out of two coincides with the plane in whichthe upright and the half-beam are situated.
 8. Shelter according toclaim 2, characterised by the fact that it adopts an extendableconfiguration in which the roof elements adopt a decreasing size toenable them to be retracted inside a single one.
 9. Shelter according toclaim 6, characterised by the fact that the angular roof elements aresix in number and are sized so as to correspond to substantially 60degrees of angular portion of the 360 degrees of the total shelter. 10.Shelter according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that saidangular roof elements are composed of: a first vertical part consistingof a cylindrical portion with a vertical axis represented by the shaft,a second substantially flat part with a triangular shape reproducing anyslope on the portico and providing the connection between the top partof the cylindrical portion and the shaft.
 11. Shelter according to claim8, characterised by the fact characterised by the fact that the largestroof element comprises a third part forming a façade consisting oftransverse panels sized so as to provide the closure of the volume ofthe shelter despite the reduced size of the smallest roof elementjoining said façade in the closed position.
 12. Shelter according toclaim 2, characterised by the fact that the top end of said verticalshaft is fixed to an arch belonging to the frame of a non-rotating roofelement with a size greater than the largest of the rotating roofelements.
 13. Shelter according to claim 12, characterised by the factthat the top ends of said angular roof elements are equipped with aconnecting part equipped with a collar preformed vertically with anorifice in order to form a guide sleeve fitting on the shaft, saidsleeve having a thickness less than or equal to one half of a connectingpart so that the turning over of the connecting part allows by symmetrythe pivot connection on the same shaft of an angular roof element ofidentical dimensions.
 14. Shelter according to claim 12, characterisedby the fact that it comprises two types of connecting part each having asleeve arranged, according to the connecting part, symmetrically oneither side of the symmetry plane of the top part of the roof elementsand used according to the side towards which said element retracts. 15.according to claim 13, characterised by the fact that said connectingpart is equipped with two sleeves angularly offset on the same radiusand offset in height so that, according to the sleeve chosen, the heightwith which the roof element is associated with said shaft differs, thusallowing the pivoting of roof elements of identical dimensions. 16.Shelter according to claim 13, characterised by the fact that the toppart of the roof elements consists of two ends of two profiles theconnection of which is provided by said connecting part.
 17. Shelteraccording to claim 13, characterised by the fact that said shaftcomprises, on the bottom end thereof, a removable axial stop. 18.Shelter according to claim 13, characterised by the fact that the shaftis associated with rings forming an axial stop for the top ends of theroof elements and interposed between the stacked collars.
 19. Shelteraccording to claim 13, characterised by the fact that the rotatingangular elements are composed of: a first vertical part consisting of acylindrical portion with a vertical axis represented by the shaft, asecond substantially flat part with a triangular shape reproducing theslope of the roof formed by the shelter and providing the connectionbetween the top edge of the cylindrical portion and the shaft. 20.Shelter according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that each frameof rotating angular roof elements comprises two uprights to which theends of said curved profile are fixed, the latter being fixed in thethickness of said uprights so that it does not form, with respect to thelatter, an inward projection opposite said uprights.
 21. Shelteraccording to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said curved profileis equipped, on the external periphery thereof, with fixing blocksfulfilling the function of points for supporting and fixing the fill-inpanels.
 22. Shelter according to claim 1, characterised by the fact thatthe top joining the profiles framing the triangular roof panel is offsetwith respect to the rotation axis of said rotating roof element.